By Admin 
Taking a big decision, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has removed wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan from the captaincy of the ODI team. In his place, fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been made the new ODI captain. PCB made this announcement immediately after the first day of the Test match being played between Pakistan and South Africa in Rawalpindi.
PCB’s sudden decision
However, the board has not given any clear reason for this change. PCB did not even take the name of Rizwan in its official statement. The board informed that this decision has been taken after a meeting with the selection committee and white-ball head coach Mike Hesson in Islamabad.
Clouds were already hovering over Rizwan’s captaincy
Questions were being raised on Mohammad Rizwan’s ODI captaincy for the last few weeks. In a recent statement issued by PCB, it was not made clear whether Rizwan would remain the captain for the South Africa tour or not. Mohammad Rizwan was given the command of the ODI team last year. Under his leadership, Pakistan won the series against South Africa and Australia in 2024. However, the team’s performance declined in 2025. Especially after Pakistan’s exit from the first round in the domestic Champions Trophy 2025, the criticism intensified. While being the captain, Rizwan has scored runs at an average of around 42, but questions started being raised on his strategy and decision making ability.
Afridi got another chance
For Shaheen Afridi, this will be the second time that he will captain Pakistan in a white-ball format. In January 2024, he was made the captain for the T20 series against New Zealand, but Pakistan had to face 4-1 defeat in that series. After this, Babar Azam was made the captain in his place.
Afridi is in great form
However, Afridi is in great form at the moment. He has been Pakistan’s highest wicket taker bowler in the last one year. Since the 2023 World Cup, no bowler of any full-member team has taken more wickets than him. He has taken 45 wickets during this period, that is, on an average, more than two wickets in every match.
Next challenge, South Africa series
Shaheen Afridi will play his first series as ODI captain against South Africa next month. This series will be of three ODI matches and all the matches will be played in Faisalabad. Now it will be interesting to see whether Afridi is able to show the same edge in captaincy as in his bowling or not.